Month: June 2024

Get to Know an Agent in Attendence: Jessica Larios-Zarate of Wave Literary

Jessica Larios-Zarate is a literary agent with Wave Literary (formerly with Savvy Literary.)

Jessica is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley where she earned a B.A. in English. She is passionate about uplifting stories by authors with marginalized voices and intersectional identities.

In regards to fiction, Jessica gravitates towards: commercial fiction, contemporary upmarket fiction, literary fiction, mystery/thrillers, and speculative fiction. She is particularly invested in stories that feature LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or disabled protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven. As for nonfiction, Jessica is interested in: narrative nonfiction and historical nonfiction.

In terms of historical nonfiction, she seeks: Ancient History, Historical Expeditions, Civil Rights Movements, and Indigenous History Books; no War History, please.

Jessica is an eclectic reader, and she adores books when they make her: laugh, cry, swoon, and/or surprised. Above all, she loves when a book makes her want to talk about it endlessly to everybody.

After participating in the Writers House Mentor Initiative, and interning at such literary agencies as Creative Media Agency and Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, Jessica is ready to help champion new voices with exciting ideas and thrilling stories.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Emma Fulenwider of Wordserve Literary

Emma Fulenwider is a literary agent with Wordserve Literary.

She’s looking for adult nonfiction books that are nerdy, helpful, and true.

Emma likes working with thought leaders called to contribute their respectful insights into the problems we’re facing, and the ones we’re avoiding.

Emma is a book junkie. From reading with a flashlight under the covers at the age of seven, her lifelong friendship with books has accumulated a Journalism degree at Cal Poly, a print magazine with Best Version Media, and a literary press with the Birren Center for Guided Autobiography. She believes that writing is a form of self-care, publishing is about serving others, and yes you have to have a platform. A lay counselor and TEDx speaker, she brings a wealth of enthusiasm and energy to her role as a literary agent.

Emma lives in California where she writes and reads and conspires with her husband to raise the two goofiest kids on earth with the help of their mini Australian shepherd. Her greyhound is no help at all.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Sandra Proudman of Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency

Sandra Proudman is a literary agent with Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency.

She is seeking:

I am continuing to look to diversify my list this year as its important to me to continue to strive for all kids to see themselves on the page as the heroes of their own stories. I am especially looking for marginalized and underrepresented voices and am especially looking for clients from Middle Eastern, South Asian, South American, and Indigenous backgrounds.

Picture Books and Early Readers: I would love to sign an author-illustrator that is doing work like Flavia Z. Drogo or Ben Clanton. I love character-driven stories full of light and humor. I also really enjoy STEAM topics, so if there is a chance for a kiddo to learn in your work, that’s always a plus!

Middle Grade: I would love to find a graphic novelist that is working on a speculative project in the vein of Wendell and Wild or Sweet Tooth.

Young Adult: I am particularly looking for romcoms and horror/thrillers in this age group. In terms of horror, I like the entire genre and am OK with body horror.

Adult fiction: I would love to find a horror like The Hacienda or Mexican Gothic. Or a beautifully written speculative story that’ll make me feel ALL of the feels.

She is not seeking: I am not the best fit for straight historical fiction or sports stories that don’t have a speculative angle. At this moment, I am being incredibly selective in MG, so it might be best to try my colleagues at GZLA first!